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Equality for women and girls

At Sightsavers, we fight for women’s rights to make sure all women and girls can get health care, go to school, get a job and participate in decisions that affect their lives.

Worldwide, women and girls experience multiple forms of discrimination. This increases their risk of poverty, disease, disability, violence and even death.

Women and girls are more likely to live in poverty than men. It’s thought 340 million women will experience extreme poverty by 2030 unless action is taken.

These inequalities are compounded for women with disabilities, who make up 18% of the female population. They face extra barriers because of the stigma around disability.

At Sightsavers, making sure women’s rights are upheld is critical in everything we do. This includes the right to go to school, get a job, vote, or make informed choices about sexual and reproductive health.

We believe in equality and an equitable world for everyone. That’s why we work with women’s groups, organisations of people with disabilities, governments and partners to ensure women have equal rights in society.

Where is a woman’s place?

Six women reveal how they’ve defied discrimination and negative attitudes to define their own place in society.

Read their stories
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Women are more likely than men to be blind or have a visual impairment

A white and yellow icon of a small bottle of medicine, with one round tablet leaning on its side.

257 million women around the world don’t have access to contraception

Worldwide, just 1% of women with disabilites are literate

Sources: The Lancet, United Nations, UNGEI

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How we support women and girls

We improve access to health care

We partner with governments to make sure women, particularly those with disabilities, can access health services and treatment.

How our health research is helping 50 million women

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We challenge stigma and discrimination

We put women’s rights at the centre of our work, and our social behaviour change projects address negative attitudes around gender.

Learn about our social behaviour change programmes

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We make schools more inclusive

We work with teachers, parents, communities and governments to promote access to education and encourage girls to go to school.

Hear the stories of female students in Sierra Leone

We help to tackle gender-based violence

We work alongside women with disabilities and local organisations to develop ways to address violence against women and girls.

How we’re boosting gender-based violence services

We promote accessible sexual health

We make sure women and girls can make informed choices about sexual and reproductive health, so they are in control of their lives.

How we’re helping to improve access to sexual health services

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We push for political participation

We help women vote and participate in politics by partnering with governments, community groups and local associations.

How we achieved gender parity on UN committee

We’ve partnered with other organisations to collate expert resources on gender and equalities

Visit the Equalities Resource Hub

How you can help

Our work to ensure equality for women and girls is making great strides, but there’s still more to do.

With your support, we want to continue to close the gender gap, fight discrimination, provide opportunities for women and make sure they can access their rights. To do this, we need your help.

Charity donations, legacies, corporate partnerships and gifts from charitable foundations are a vital source of funding. We also welcome opportunities to work in partnership with governments, institutions and development organisations.


Contact us: If you have any questions about our work to support women and girls, would like details about our programmes or wish to discuss ways to donate or support us, email [email protected]

Latest stories about women and girls

Michelle adds eyelash extensions to a woman's eyes.
Sightsavers blog

Women with disabilities must be involved in planning economic empowerment programmes

Sightsavers’ Sarah Wang’ombe shares what we’ve learned from our consultations with women with disabilities about running effective programmes.

Sarah Wang’ombe, March 2025
Caliha stands outside, with a tree behind her.
Sightsavers stories
Stories / Disability and inclusion /

“Usually, men tell their wives not to go to hospital”

Cataracts stopped Caliha from working as a farmer, and without her family’s support, she struggled to access treatment. Caliha was able to have an operation and is now earning a living again.

Maria at her home in Zimbabwe.
Sightsavers stories
Stories / Disability and inclusion /

“Now my sight has improved, I hope to earn more”

Maria was able to return to work as a basket weaver and support her family after receiving treatment for advanced trachoma.

Lydia, an IT Bridge Academy graduate, smiles while standing in front of the Kenyan flag.
Sightsavers stories
Stories / Disability and inclusion /

“Women don’t get easy access to employment opportunities”

Lydia is a graduate of Sightsavers’ IT Bridge Academy and a disability rights activist. She works in the executive office of the president of Kenya.

A headshot of Michelle staring into the camera.
Sightsavers stories
Stories / Disability and inclusion /

“I’ve always wanted to have a very big business”

Entrepreneur Michelle uses her experience of living with a disability to mentor other young women through Sightsavers’ economic empowerment project in Zimbabwe.

Portrait pictures of Sightsavers' researchers.
Sightsavers blog

Making schools safer for children with disabilities

Dr Steven Kaindaneh and Dr Julia de Kadt explain how our new research puts children with disabilities at the centre of efforts to combat gender-based violence.

Sightsavers, December 2024

Help us take action on International Women’s Day

How to get involved